In the past two weeks, an outbreak of cholera has claimed 47 lives in Yemen, and humanitarian agencies warn that many more could die without immediate intervention.

Data from the Red Cross shows that more than 2,300 suspected cases of cholera have been reported. The deadly disease sweeping Yemen is pushing the country to the brink of a shocking humanitarian emergency.

What’s the situation in Yemen?

After years of violence, Yemen’s infrastructure is in a state of collapse. The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that fewer than 45% of Yemen’s health facilities are currently functioning after around 300 clinics were damaged or destroyed during the devastating conflict.

According to the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), a staggering 18.8 million people in Yemen are in need of some kind of humanitarian support or protection. 10.3 million people are in acute need of humanitarian assistance. More than 8.2 million people are in desperate need of clean water and sanitation facilities. In Yemen, a child under the age of 5 dies every 10 minutes from preventable causes.

Bombing raids have targeted water pipes and recent heavy rainfall has washed piles of uncollected rubbish into water sources and wells, contaminating the already scarce supply of drinking water. Warm weather has also provided ideal conditions for the pathogens responsible for cholera to spread, creating an incredibly dangerous situation for humans.

What is cholera?

Cholera is a potentially fatal bacterial infection, usually transmitted through the ingestion of contaminated water and food. It causes acute diarrhoea, vomiting and weakness. Symptoms usually appear after a few days, but in some cases can manifest much more quickly.

The severe sickness and diarrhoea will cause extreme dehydration and patients can quickly go into a state of shock. When left untreated, cholera can kill in a matter of hours.

How can I help?

Human Appeal is on the ground in Yemen, providing real aid in real time. However, we can only help those in desperate need with your continued support. For just £100, you can provide a family in Yemen with an emergency package, containing essentials like food, clean water and medical supplies.

Emergency aid can mean the difference between life and death for the world’s most vulnerable people. We must not turn our back on poorly children in Yemen.